Knitting machine



P. P. LA MONTAGNE. KNITTING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED DEC. 7, 1917.

' Patented Nov. 14, 1922.

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P. P. LA MONTAGNE.

v KNITTING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED 020.1.1911.

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Patented Nov. 14, 1922.

P. P. LA MONTAGNE. KNITTING MACHINE. APPLICATION 'flLED DEC-7.1917.

.1 ,435 ,7 1:3 PatentedNov. 14, 1922.

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KNITTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 7,19I7.

I Patented Nov. 14, 1922.

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PuIrIcK P Lu Montugne b atmS/fiwkammr Attys.

Patented Nov. 14, 1922.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

PATRICK P. LA MONTAGNEOF BOURBONNAIS, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO POPE MACHINE COMPANY, OF KANKAKEE, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

KNITTING MACHINE.

Application filed December 7, 1917. Serial No. 205,979.

To aZZ whom it may (JO/1266?! throwing selected instrumentalities of simi- Be it known that I, PATRICK l LA V lar form, or of one set, out of and into knit- Moivrilenn, a citizen of the United States, ting operation without dropping stitches. 60 residing at Bourbonnais, county oft Kanka- The invention also provides a novel type kee, State of Illinois, have invented an Imof knitting instrumentality comprisinga provement in Knitting Machines, oil which hook member, a latch member and a jack the following description, in connection member, each of these members being relawith the accompanying drawing, is a specitively and bodily movable with respect to iication, like characters on the drawingthe other and the jack member being oper- 10 represe ting like parts. ative on one of said first two members to The invention has for 1t-s ob ect the promoveit with respect to the other. vidmg.v in connectlon with a knitting ma- The invention in certain aspects also re chine oi the type employing the socalled lates to any type of knitting machine separate latch needles, that is, needles .in wherein it is necessary to throw some of if) which the hook member and the co-operatthe needles out of action during the kniting latch member are physically separate ting operation, and hence in certain feaand independent parts having relative tures the invention is not restricted to the bodily movement, of means for throwing separate latch needle.

these separate latch needles out of and into More specifically considered the invention 20 knitting operation, or means for throwing resides in providing in a knitting machine such a needle out of action while retaining a needle of the separate latch type and a thereon a stitch ready for casting oii; over separate instrnmentality herein termed for yarn next fed to the needle and for restoring convenience a separate ack so arranged and the needle into action with the latch andhook co operating that the movement ol the 25 members in relation to receive the said next needle to npward, projected, or yarn-receivyarn fed before the said retained stitch is ing, position is effected by the action of the cast off. The primary practical importance cam upon the butt of the needle and the of this feature of: the invention is that en movement of the needle to downward, re ables a knitting machine of this type utiliztracted, or casting ofl", position is effected 30 ing the separate latch needles to he emby the action oi the cam upon the separate ployed in such knitting operations as those jack and therethrough to the needle and required in making hosiery where recipro; further so arranged and co-operating that eating knitting has to be performed and the the needle is thrown out-of action by movneedles thrown out of and into knitting ing or elevating the separate jack to a posi- 35 operation. tion where it will not be acted upon by The invention also has for its object to the depressing or retracting cam, thus preprovide such means acting selectively with venting the needle from receiving a moverespect to the needles by sets and selectively ment to downward, retracted, or casting oil. with respect to a givenset of needles. In position.

40 this respect the invention provides knit- The invention involves the combination ting instrumentalities including the sepaof the separate jack with any type of needle rate latch needle members-in which theseas a simple and efficient arrangement by instrumentalities are of diiferent types or which any needle may be thrown out of and sets, together with means for selectively into knitting operation, and the invention 45 throwing or positioning one set out of and also involves the combination of the sepainto knitting operation independently of rate latch needle with the separate jack as the other set, and also means for selectively a preferred and efficient arrangement for embodying the broad principle by which the desired control of the separate latch needles in being thrown out of and into action is secured.

The invention thus provides means whereby needles, especially those of the separate latch type may be readily and easily thrown out of action and returned to knitting posi tion, when required, with the minimum amount of movement, with the minimum amount of friction and without danger of binding or breakage.

Furthermore, the invention in the feature of the separate jack provides an instrumentality which may be readily and cheapl and accurately manufactured because the separate jacks in their preferred form may be punched or stamped from sheet metal. Such a separate jack preferably includes an integral butt upon which the depressing or retracting cam acts. So also the needle itself, and if of the separate latch type the hook member, is pref crably also formed by a stamping or punching operation to present an integral butt upon which the elevating or projecting cam acts. Thus the cams of the knitting machine act upon butts which are formed with great accuracy and hence the movements of the needle may be effected with great accuracy in both directions and without any substantial danger of breakage of the parts. The greatest strain in the operation of the machine naturally takes place in the depressing or retracting operation and as this operation is performed by the action of the retracting or depressing cam upon the butt of the jack the main wear and strain comes upon the jack itself. This instrumentality being a separate part if'it becomes worn or broken may be readily and easily replaced without requiring the removal or replacement of the needle.

Furthermore, as in this invention the needle is thrown out of action by the movement of the jack to a position where it will not be acted upon by the depressingor retracting cam the needle is given no unusual or prolonged movement but remains in its normal elevated position thus materially reducing the wear, friction and wedging or binding strains to which it would otherwise be subjected.

A further feature of the invention resides in the fact that the separate jack is located on the outside of the needle and while therefore requiring a slightly increased diameter of cylinder or thickness of needle bed does not alter the effective diameter of the cylinder or the number or of the needles.

The invention also provides a simple and eflicient means for enabling that particular type of separate latch needle, in which the reciprocating movements of the latch are soured by spaced shoulders on the hook member contacting in the respective reciprocations of the hook member with the latch, to be thrown out of action. Such type of separate latch needle cannot be thrown out of action as, for example, to enable the knitting of the heel and toe sections of a stocking and as, for example, to enable the narrowing and widening operations in the knitting of the heel and toe sections of the stocking without some special provision being employed.

These and other features of the invention will appear more fully from the accompanying description and drawings and will be particularly pointed out in the claims.

While the invention in some of its aspects is not to be restricted to the particular type of knitting machine nor to the particular type of needle employed, it is herein shown for purposes of illustration andto disclose its fullest application as embodied in a wellknown circular type of knitting machine in which separate latch needles are employed.

Since the invention in this preferred embodiment does not alter the general construction and operation of the knitting machine it is unnecessary either to illustrate or describe in detail such general construction and operation because that is well known and familiar to those skilled in the knitting machine art.

In the drawings,

Figure 1 is a view chiefly in central vertical cross-section taken on the line AA of Fig. 2 through the cylinder of an ordinary type of circular knitting machine equipped for reciprocating work and embodying a preferred form of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view partially in hori- Zontal section taken on the line Pe-B of Fig. l and partially broken away, and elim inating features unnecessary to a' disclosure of the invention, of the construction shown in Fig. 1; i

Fig. 3 is a detail chiefly in vertical crossscction taken on the line C 6 of Fig. 2 of a portion of the cylinder of the machine and adjacent parts showing one of the picking instrumentalities for elevating the separate jacks to throw the needles out of action;

Fig. lis' a diagrammatic view showing the general relation of the needle, separate jack, picker and cams when the jack is raised in position to throw the needle out of action;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4- showing the needle, separate jack, dropper and cams when the jack is depressed to bring the parts into knitting position; a

Fig. 6 is a view similar to 4L showing a separate latch needle of that type wherein the latch member is given its reciprocating movements by spaced shoulders on the hook member shank;

Fig. '2 is a View similar to Fig. 5 showing a separate latch needle of the type shown in Fig. 6.

For the reasons already explained it is un' ccessary either to illustrate or describe in detail the general features and construction of a knitting machine or of the knitting machine of the particular type herein illustrated. It will be sufficient to note with respect to this particular type of knit machine herein illustrated for the purpose of disclosing the invention that it embodies a suitable circular bed plate 1 in which is centrally mounted a cylinder carrier .Z'supported by a rod 3. On the cylinder carrier 2 is mounted the usual needle cylinder 4:. Surrounding the needle cylinder and concentric therewith and supported by the bed plate is the usual skeleton cylinder 5 the spaces between the bars of which radiall aline with the needle grooves in the exterior wall of the cylinder.

The needle operating cams comprise the usual two sections 6 and 7, the lower section 6 being provided with the inclined cam surfaces 8 and the upper section 7 with the cor" responding inclined surfaces 9, these SGT-- faces co-operating in the usual manner, and as will hereafter be explained in connection with this invention, to effect the projecting and retracting movement of the nee dies in the knitting operation. The cam sections 6 and 7 are spaced much further apart than ordinarily because of the form of separate jack feature herein illustrated. The can' section 7 is supported from the cam :rier j v and the cam section is formed in or supported by the cam ring 10 surrounding and concentric with the skeleton cylinder 0 and provided at the bottom with a radially eI-Ltending flange The cam ring 10 tele scopes within and is vertically movable with respect to and rotates on the cam carrier l2 which is mounted concentrically oi the cam ring upon the bed plate 1. The provi- 1U sion for vertical telescoping movement of the cam ring with respect to the (321111 carrier and the rotary movement of these parts together is effected by means of a stud 13 secured to the flange oi the cam ring 10 and projecting through a hole in the flange ot the cam carrier 12. The cam ring 10 rests upon a ring support 1% concentric with the skeleton cylinder and rigidly secured to the cylinder carrier by means of vertical studs 15 extending upwardly from lugs 16 projecting from the bottom of the cylinder carrier.

Such a construction as that described onables the cylinder and. the cam ring and with it the lower operating cam 6 to be raised and lowered vertically to adjust the length of stitch drawn oil by the needles.

The cam carrier and with it the cam ring and cams are given the required rotary or oscillating movement from a gear ring 17 retarily mounted in the bed plate 1 concentric oi the cam carrier and provided at its bot tom with the gear teeth 18 meshing with a bevel gear 19 operated in the usual manner from a shaft 20.

The needles draw the yarn down over a suitable work-engaging portion 21 ot the cylinder which is herein shown as the upper surface of the sinkers 22 of familiar type mounted to slide radially grooves sinker cylinder 23 secured at the upper end of the cylinder i.

While in certain aspects oi the invention the needles may be of any suitable type the invention is particularly concerned with the separate latch type of needle two terms of which are herein illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5 and Figs. 6 and 7, respectively in the construction shown in the former figures the separate latch needle comprises hook mom ber 24 and a separate latch member 25. This needle is of the general type illustrated in the patent to Pope and Randall No. 1,096,9 l5 granted lvlay 19, 191 1. The book nmmbcrQ-l is formed at its upper end with the usual hook 26 and at the lower end of its shank with a butt 27 preferably unched or stamped out integrally with the shank to form an accurately and sharply defined portion. Adjacent the hook the hook member is slotted longitudinally and transversely. The hook member slides in the usual groove in the exterior wall of tl e cylinder. The latch member which is much thinner than the hook member comprises a shank 28 litting in and sliding in a narrower slot formed in the cylinder in the rear of or beneath the slot for the hook member and a head 29 provided with a point 30 projecting and movable through the longitudinal slot in the hook member. Suitable shoulders 31 and 32 on the head of the latch member cooperate with corresponding boulders formed by the end walls of the slot in the hook member to cause the latch member to be reciprocated from the hook member. The

tail of the latch member 28 is bent to cause it trictionally to engage the side walls of its slot. Accordingly upon the principle described in the aforesaid Patent No. 1 O96,9-l5 when the hook member is projected or elevated it leaves the latch member behind untilthe shoulder 32 comes into contact with the corresponding shoulder in the hook member. The yarn is then fed to the hook member and on the reverse reciprocation of the needle the hook member retracts, the latch member being held by friction in its. slot until the hook rides into the position to be covered by the point 30 ot the latch member whereupon the shoulder 31 contacts with the corresponding shoulder on the hook member and the two members of the needle move together casting oil the yarn. The

term latch member as used herein, and unless otherwise limited, is to be understood as comprehending any member constituting a permanent part of each needle and c0-opcrating with the hook member of the needle to secure the casting off over the hook of the stitch.

In the present invention a third member provided herein termed a separate jack. 'ihe preferred embodiment of this device is illustrated as a thin flat bar 33 provided between its ends with a radially projecting butt as and above the butt with an offset 35. Tlhis separate jack is preferably fin-med by a punching or stamping operation so that the butt 34. presents sharply defined edges accurately positioned with respect to the body of the jack. When in position the separate jack located in the same groove with a corresponding hook member of the needle and with its butt 3% projecting; radially in line with and to the same extent as the correspondingbutt 27 of its needle. The butt 34 is so positioned with respect to the length of the ack 33 that the space between the butt 34: of the jack and the butt 27 of the needle is suflicient to allow the usual picker mechanism and el ating cam for throwing the needles out of action to enter beneath. the butt 3&- without engaging the butt 27. It is by reason of the separate jack and to allow the operation. of the picker and elevating cam on the butt of the separate ack that the cam section 7 is spaced much further than usual from the cam section 6.

The offset 35 upon the separate j ark member corresponds to the usual offset on the needle and is transi'ierred to the jack member therefrom. This offset co-operates with the usual spring ring 36 surrounding the needles, and now transferred to surround the separate jacks, so that as the jacks are moved up the offset rides over the spring and the jacks are thereby held in elevated position. I

The operation of the machine in ordinary circular knitting will now be apparent. As the cam ring rotates the surface 9 on the depressing cam section '7 rides over the top surface of the butt 34 on the jack. and depresses the jack carrying with it the hook member of the needle because the lower end of the jack rests against the butt 27 of the hook member. Thus the cam surface 9 moves the jack and hook member together and, it picks it up, the latch member also down to casting off position. As the cam continues its rotation the cam. surface 8 on the lower cam section contacting with the lower surface of the butt 27 of the hook member projects the needle and with it the sep arate projecting the hook member away from the latch member until the hook is uncovered and then picking up the: latch member and carrying the three parts, that is, the separate jack, the hook member and the latch HlGIi'ilDGl, to the projected or yarnreceiving position. In this operation the jack and hook member move together and the action is the same as if they were integral.

When, however, the machine changes from circular work to reciprocating work and back again, as for example in the knitting of the heel and toe sections of a stocking, it is necessary, first, to throw one section of needles entirely out of action as for ex ample those needles which are concerned with the knitting of the instep and, then, gradually to narrow the work by throwing out of action one or more needles of the remaining section at each end of each reciprocation. whereby the work is narrowed to the required point. Thereafter the work is gradually widened by the bringing back into action. one or more needles of the latter section at each end of each reciprocation, and finally the needles of the section first thrown out of action are restored to knitting position. It will thus be seen that there are essentially provided for this type of work two sets or types of needles, usually distinguished by the shape of the butt, and that one of these sets of needles may automatically be selected and thrown out of and into knitting operation independently of the other It will also be seen that selected needles of similar type, or of one set, may be thrown out of and into knitting operation as required in order to perform this important part of the knitting operation. Any suitable or well known type of mechanism may be, employed in connection with the separate jack needle in which this lllVQl'b tion is embodied making only such slight changes of adjustment and position as are necessary to adapt it to use in connection with this separate jack. For this purpose a well known type of mechanism, familiar to those skilled in the art and in its main features shown in the patent to Mayo, No. 726,178 granted April 21, 1908, is illustrated and the details of its construction and operation it is unnecessary here to describe at length because they are well known to those skilled in the knitting art.

The phrase thrown out of action herein employed is to be understood as a broad and inclusive expression for the bringing, about of that condition whereby the needle is rendered inactive or the normal knitting operation ceases, which occurs in the particular embodiment of the invention illus trated when the normal reciprocating stroke of the needle ceases or is suspended, or the elements of the knitting instrumentality as some a particular position in the multiphase movement of the members. A needle thus thrown out of action does not cast off yarn or form a stitch during the relative lateral movement of the needles and knitting cams. Familiar examples of needles thus thrown out of action are those rendered inactive when reciprocating knitting begins and those rendered inactive in the narrowing operation in the knitting of the toe and heel pockets of hosiery.

Ordinarily in throwing a needle out of action the needle butt he needle is acted upon by a cam. or a picker mechanism which elevates or projects the butt out of the path of the depressing or retracting cam surfaces 9 thus projecting or elevating the needle to a position much beyond that required in any of the lrn tting'operations. And when the needle is returned to knitting; position the butt of the needle is acted upon by a cam r dropper mechanism which depresses or retracts the needle into the path of the depressing or retracting cam surfaces 9. In the present invention the needle is left in its normally elevated or projected position and the separate jack is acted upon by suitable mechanism such as the ordinary cam and picker mechanism whereby the separate jack is elevated or projected to a position in which its butt is out of the path of the retracting or depressing cam surfaces 9, and the separate jack is subsequently acted upon by suit-able mechanism such. as a cam or dropper mechanism acting upon its butt to depress or restore it into the path of the cam surfaces 9. Hence as the cams revolve the separate jack remains elevated or projected and consequently the needle remains in its normally elevated or projected position and out of action, and when the needle is to be brought into action suitable mechanism such as the cam or dropper mechanism acts upon the butt of the separate jack to restore or depress it into the path of the depressing; cam surface 9. Thus there is no tendency to wear, bind or wedge the needle in. throwing itout of action and the cross sectional area of the needle is not enlarged by projecting it with its separate latch in the case of a separate latch needle above its normal elevated or projected position. Furthermore. the action of the cam, picker mechanism and dropper mechanism takes place entirely upon the butt of the separate jack so that the strains and the wear due to the throwingof the needles into and out of action is taken up by the jack and if the jack becomes worn or broken it may be readily and easily replaced without disturbing the needle.

The set of needles which are thrown out of action when reciprocating knitting is to take place and which remain out of actionholding' the yarn are usually selected by be ing' provided with butts of greater radial length than the butt of those needles which are to continue in action and perform reciprocating knitting and the same principle is here employed. Such needles and their corresponding jacks therefore have their butts 27 and 34 respectively of greater length than the other needles. This set of needles be thrown out of action by a suitable wedge-shaped switch cam 3? mounted upon a shaft rotatably and longitudi nally movable in a bearing 39 radially supported from the gear ring 17. This earn 3'? during the ordinary circular knitting operation stands in elevated position and travels in a path above the butts 34, the elevated cam thus clearing; all the butts. XV hen the set of needles having the longer butts are to be thrown out of action the shaft 38 is rotated and at the same time moved longitudinally outwardly to brine; the point of the cam 37 into its depressed. position below the path of the butts 34 of the separate jaclrs which have the longer set of butts. This movement of the cam 37 may be effected manually or automatically in the latter case by some means such as the automatic positioning of the cam 40 the path of the crank arm ll extending); from the shaft 38. In this depressed position the gearing; is rotated the upper surface of the cam 37 rides beneath the butts of the acks having the longer butts and raises or projects the jacks to a position where they are caught by the cam surface 41 on the cam section 7 and are further elevated thereby and ride along the surface l2. The needles themselves corresponding to these jacks are projected no further than they are in the normal knitting operation by the cam surfaces 8 and hence remain in their normal projected position. The jacks beingout of reach of the depressing; or retracting cam surfaces 9 remain out of action and consequently the corresponding needles themselvesremain out of action.

When this section of needles is to be restored to knit-ting position the cam 37 is swung upwardly and. at the same time moved inwardly, the latter action being effected as by a stud 43 on the shaft 38 riding; in an inclined groove 44 in the bearing 39 to bring the lower surface of the cam 37 above the butts 3st of all the needles, both those having the longer and those having; the shorter butts. so that as the cam ring is rotated the needles are all retracted or restored to a position where they are within the path of the depressing or retracting cam surfaces 9. This operation may be performed. either manually or by the usual type of automatic mechanism of the machine.

In the formation of reciprocating work such as the knitting of the heel and toe sections of a stocking after one section of needles such as those having the longer butt are thrown out of action it is necessary gradu- Cir ally to reduce the number of the needles remaining in action and then gradually to re store these needles to knitting action. This is usually accomplished by throwing out of action successively one or more needles at each end of each reciprocation and then bringing back into action one or more needles at each end of each. reciprocation. This is accomplished in the ordinary kn itting' machine by the use of suitable n'iechanism such as a picker mechanism and a dropper mechanism, the former acting to elevate or project the needles successively and the latter acting subsequently to depress or restore the needles successively. Any suitable i'uechanisrn may be used for this purpose and a well known type familiar to those skilled in the art is illustrated in its general features. In this inventionthe picker and dropper mechanism instead of acting upon the butts of the needles so adjusted and arranged as to act upon the butts of the separate ack members and respectively picks and depressesthe jack butts out of and into the path of the retracting or (:lepressing; cam surfaces 9. i

In the construction illustrated the picker mechanism and the dropper mechanism are shown as separate instrumentalities. l l hen the reciprocating knitting; is taking" place the gear ring 17 is given an oscillating; or reciprocating motion. Upon this rear ring at one side are mounted. the pickers 4a and at an opposite point the dropper th and all are constructed and operated in a manner well known to those skilled in the art except that the effective ends of the pickers and dropper are adjusted to co-operate with the butt of the jack rather than the butt of the needle and act to shift the jack butt out of and into the path of the depress ng or retracting cam surfaces 9.

The pickers 4L5 at their etfective ends are notched at l? suiiiciently to receive the butts of one or more needles accordin to the number to be thrown out of action at each end of each reciprocation. lllach picker 45 isn1ounted to pivot vertically in post {4:8 and each post is mounted to pivot horizontally on the gear ring 17. The shanks of the pickers c2;- tcnd through cam slots 49 in a guide plate 50 also secured to the gear rings". The lengths of the pickers are such that when in radialposition the pickerswill just clear the skeleton cylinder and the heads of the pickers will pass above or beneath the jack butts that during circular knitting the pickers are idle. The posts 1-8 are spaced apart a distance longer than the amount of lost motion between the gear ring and cam carrier so that at each change of direction of movement the cam carrier operates to carry first one and then the other of the pickers into position in front of the cam section 7 trailing the other picker upon the outside of the said cam,

but neither. picker can be trailed behind the cam section without causing it to swing horizontally with the post and. clear the said cam. This swinging movement in co-operation with the cam surfaces on the guide plate 4C9 causes the swinging picker to be depressed into its lowermost position. ll hen the direction of reciprocation is again changed this depressed picker by the lost motion between the gear ring and cam carrier brought in front of the cam surface 9 in its lowermost position and its notch 457 will thereupon engage the butt or butts of the separate jacks to be elevated or projected. As the rotation of the gear ring continues the jack butts thus seized hold the picker against rotation and the picker slides up the cam surface on the guide plate 50 and takes with it the engaged jack butts until these jack butts are in line with the cam surface 41. The jacks are then lifted by the cam surface 41 onto the surface l2 and the acks are held in this po sition by the offsets riding over the spring 36. The picker then clears itself from the jack butts as the jacks are forced upward by the cam surface 41 and springs back into its'normal radial. position. This operation continues reversely with the two pickers and thus at each end of each reciprocation one or more jacks are elevated or projected and thus the corresponding needles are brought out of action and thus the knitting; is gradually narrowed.

The widening operation then takes place in a similar but reverse manner through the action of the dropper 46 which is a symmetrically shaped device horizontally and vertically pivoted in a bearing 51 on the gear ring 17. This dropper 4-6 is notched at each side and at the bottom of its end to receive the butts of one or more of the jacks ac cording to the number tov be depressed at the end of each reciprocation. It stands out of the path of the jack butts and when called into operation preferably by automatic mechanism, such, for example, the sliding cam plate 52 automatically actuated by the crank arm 53in the mechanism of the machine, at the required time it is guided to a position in line with the butts of the elevated. or projected jacks so that at the end of each reciprocation the jack butts at the end of the row of needles out of action ride into one of the notches in the end of the dropper. As the reciprocating movement continues the dropper is forced down wardly in the cam slot of its guide plate, herein not shown for clearness of illustration, carrying with it and thus depressing the butts of the engaged jacks and as it is carried downwardly it swings radially and clears itself after depressing the acks. The dropper then springs back into elevated position and is operated upon the reverse reciprocation in a similar manner. In the widening operation. the dropper is generally arranged to depress a greater number of jacks than the pickers elevate for example the picl-rers may remain in operation each elevating), say one jack at the end of each reciprocation and "the dropper depressing: two jacks at each end of each reciprocation so that as a net result one jack is brought back into operative position at each end of each reciprocation and thus the widening of the knitting secured. But the particular construction and operation of the picker mechanism and the dropper mechanism not involved in this invention and this general explanation will be sutlicient to those skilled in the art.

As already explained after the widening action has been completed the switch cam 37 is projected inwardly and elevated so as to extend over the butts of. all the jacks, both those of the longer and shorter type and thus the depressing or retracting movement oi all the jacks and consequently of all the needles is insured.

It is important that the hook member and the latch shall always retain when in yarnreceiving position a fixed relation to the work-engaging portion or top of the cyl inder, in the form shown, the top of the sinkers. This requirement is particularly true of the separate latch needle and of the latch member thereof. It is frequently desirable to vary the length of the loop by varying the extent to which the needle is depressed or retracted, the yarn being drawn out by the cylinder needle over the dial needles when a dial is employed or over the top of the cylinder when a dial is not employed. The lengthening of the stitch accomplished by changing the relative position of the cylinder and the retracting or depressing cam 7 to increase the distance thercbetween. For this purpose well known means may be employed for raising the supporting rod 3 and therewith the cylinder with respect to this cam. In order that the latch member may occupy when in yarnreceiving position always the same relation to the top of the cylinder this invention provides for floating the lower or project ing' cam 6 along with the cylinder. As a preferred means of securing this result the construction already described may be employed. That is, the ring support 14: is ranged to move vertically with the cylinder and as the cam 6 is supported or formed in this ring this cam also floats or moves vertically with the cylinder. The elevating or projecting cam therefore brings the jack and thereby the hook member and latch member to the same relation with the top of the cylinder whatever vertical adjustment may be given to the cylinder. Consequcntly the path between the cam 7 and the cam 6 when the cylinder is in its highest position adjustment must he not less than 7' a! t la H lnolr 1"! 'nnallab ,vlllllClCllc J) pcrmi toe and new it Al is uction already described the i uiorcncot from k i the co-opcra- V ano on the head i with the shoul ew 1c end walls oi the long; rse slot in the hoolrv member. .lng shoulders may be rariousl v located in this ype of needle and in 6 and '3 another :lorm "l J iiown wherein i e hook member 4 is provit ed with shoulrzers and 56 punched or stamped in the shank of the hook member at some distance from the lcngituo a and transverse slot through the hool: i ember and the latch. member is )l'OVlClOd with a shouldered butt 3? located between and co-opcratingwith the shoulders and 55. This construction enables a more accurate relative movement of the two needle members to be secured principally because when the shoulde r; on the hook member are "torn ed by the end walls of the slot they are more or less inaccurately formed because the slot is usually cut out by a saw, in. tiis const uction illustrated the needle is shown in ll '6 in its elevated or projected yarn-nzcoiring position. T he hook member has been. moved to this position by the cam surface 8 and in this movement illG shoulder 56 has contacted with the lower shoulder of the butt a? of the latch member and carried the latch up nith it. d hen the needle is lowered or re tractod the cam surface 9 acting upon the butt ot the jack 33 brings the jaclr into contact with the butt oi the lwoi: member and the hoola: member is then retracted until the shoul r 55 oi the heel: merulgier comes in the other shoulder ot the butt 1 During his move rncu lur rides up the inclined end wall 430 oi the slot in the heel; member and ch es ovr the tip the heel: and the two members then travel tother in this posit on, casting; oh" the loop,

be retracted or lower position.

In the construction will in i (i and 7 the elei'ati 9' or prc ecrzu ,J; cam (l hoats with the cylinder -n the manner already do" "ibcd and the picker and dropper as well as the switch can) 37 have the mi ($21 already described, so that this for i needle is thrown out of action by i ting; the jaclt in the manner alre The invention 1 relie e by which the separate latch type of needle in which the latch ire iber is operated through the co-operation oi": shoulders thereon with shoulders on the hook member is thrown out of and into action without causing the movement of the needle members beyond that required in the normal knitting operation and consequently without increasing the cross-sectional area of the needle en gaged by the loop, a feature which is of great importance in the operation oil. the separate latch member.

lVhile but one set of operating cams 6 and 7 have been illustrated and described it will oi? course be understood that as many such operating cams shall. be employed as there are yarn feeds.

it will also be understood that such terms as top bottom elevated and depressed when used in the specification and claims are terms of relation and not oi limitation and are used merely tor convenience.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1.. A knitting machine comprising a needle provided with a laterally extending butt, aseparate jack for said needle, slid able with, and with respect to, said needle and pro vided with a laterally extending butt, and cams acting upon the top of the jack butt and the bottom of the needle butt to effect the reciprocation of the needle in yarn drawing and loop casting off.

2. A knitting machine comprising the elements defined in claim 1 together with means acting upon the jack butt to move it out of and restore it into the path of its cam and thereby to throw the needle out 0t, and into action.

3. A machine knitting comprising a needle consisting of a hook member and a separate latch member, the hook member provided with a laterally extending butt and the latch member reciprocated through the medium of the hook member, a separate jack for said needle, slidable with, and with respect to, said hook i'nember and provided with a laterally extending butt, and cams acting upon the top of the jack buttand the bottom of the hook member butt to effect the reciprocation ot the needle members in yarn drawing and loop casting oil.

4. A. knitting machine comprising the elements defined in claim together with means acting upon the iack butt to move it out of and restore it into the path of its cam and thereby tothrown the needle out of, and into action.

5. A knitting machine comprising a needle, a separate jack therefor, movable both therewith and with respect thereto, means for reciprocating the needle acting jointly upon the needle and its jack and means for suspending the reci' irrocation oi" the needle by moving the jack with respect to its needle.

6. A knitting machine comprising a needle, a separate jack therefor, movable both therewith and with respect thereto, means for causing the joint retracting movement oi the needle and jack acting upon or through the jack and for causing the projecting movement of the needle acting directly upon the needle and means for suspending the reciprocation of the needle to throw it out of operation by giving a pro jecting movement to the jack independently of the needle.

7. A knitting machine comprising a needle, a separate jack therefor, movable both therewith and with respect thereto, means for reciprocating the needle and ack in unison to etlect the knitting operation and means for suspending the reciprocation of the needle by effecting a relative longitudinal movement of the needle and its jack.

8. A knitting machine comprising a needle, a separate jack therefor movable longitudinally with and with respect thereto, and means for suspending the reciprocation of the needle by'moving the jack longitudinally with respect to the needle.

9. The combinationin a knitting machine of a needle provided with a'laterally extending butt and a jack having ashank extending longitudinally of and in front of the needle with a butt extending laterally parallel with and at a distance from the needle butt, the lower end of the shank of the jack normally contacting with the needle butt whereby pressure on the upper portion of the jack butt will give a retracting movement and pressure on the lower portion of the needle butt will give a projecting movement to the needle, and means acting upon the jack butt to effect an upward movement of the jack independently of the needle for the purpose of suspending the operation of the needle.

10. A knitting machine comprising a grooved needle bed, needles longitudinally slidable in said grooves and provided with laterally extending butts, separate jacks for said needles each presenting a shank and a laterally extending butt and mounted to slide in said grooves with, and with respect to, their respective needles, and a cam member movable relatively transversely to said needle bed and provided with a groove straddling the jack and needle butts and acting to effect the joint reciprocation of the respective needles and jacks.

11. A knitting machine comprising the elements defined in claim 10 together with means acting selectively upon the jack butts to move the selected jack butts out of, and restore them into, the path of said cam and thereby to throw the selected needles out of, and into, action.

12. A knitting machine comprising the elements defined in claim 10 together with means lot reciprocating the cam member with respect to the needle bed and picker mechanism acting at each end oi each reciprocation to contact 'vith a selected number of jack butts and move them out oi the path of said cam thereby throwing the corresponding needles out of action.

13. A knitting machine comprising the elements defined in claim l2 together with a dropper mechanism acting at the end of each reciprocation selectively upon the jack butts ct needles out oi action to restore the said jack butts into the path of the said cam and. thereby to restore the corresponding needles into action.

14. A knitting machine comprising a needle consisting of a hook member provided with. a laterally extending butt and a separate latch member each member being provided with a pair of oppositely disposed shoulders, the separation of the shoulders of the one pair being greater than that of the other pair to an extent sufficient to secure the required relative movements of the members, a separate jack for said needle slidable with, and with respect to, said needle and provided with a laterally extending butt, and cams acting upon the top of the jack butt and the bottom of the needle butt to effect the reciprocation of the needle in yarn drawing and loop casting off.

15. A knitting machine comprising the elements defined in claim ll together with means acting upon the ack butt to move it out of and restore it into the path of its cam and thereby to throw the needle out of and into action.

16. A knitting machine comprising the elements defined in claim 14 together with means for suspending the reciprocation of the needle by moving the jack with respect to its needle.

17. A knitting machine comprising a needle, separate jack therefor movable with the needle to effect the retracting movement thereof, a cam engaging the jack to effect the said retracting movement, and means for suspending and restoring said retracting movement acting by shifting the jack longitudinally with respect to the needle (nil ct and into engagementwith said cam.

18, it. knittii'ig machine ronuu'ising a needle bed, needles longitudina cable therein each provided will a late! extending butt, a separate jack for r needle slidable with. and with respect to said needle and provided with a laterally extending butt, a retracting cam acting upon the top of the jack butt, a projecting cam acting upon the bottom of the needle butt, means for simultaneously adjusting the needle bed and projecting cam with respect to the retracting whereby the length ct stitch may be varied without varying the relation between the top oil the needle bed and the needle when in yarnreceiving position.

19. A knitting machine comprising a series ol needles, a corresponding series of jacks each movable with and with respect to its needle, means for reciprocating the needles to effect the knitting operation acting ointly upon each needle and its jack, and automatically controlled means for selectively moving said jacks with. respect to their needles in one direction thereby to suspend the reciprocation of the selected needles and for selectively moviiiig said jacks with respect to their needles in the opposite direction thereby to restore. the rcciprocatio'i'i of the selected needles.

20. A knitting machine comprising a series of needles, a corresponding series o'l sepa rate jacks therefor movable both with and with respect to the needles, means for con jointly reciprocating each needle and its jack to effect the knitting operation, means for automatically and selectively projecting the jacks with respect to their needles thereby to suspend the knitting operation of the selected needles, and means for auto1natically and selectively retracting the jacks with respect to their needles thereby to elftect the restoration of the knitting operation of the selected needles.

21. A knitting machine comprising a series of needles and a corresponding series of jacks therefor slidable both with and with respect to the needles, means for jointly reciprocating each needle and its jack to ellicct the knitting operation, and a picker and dropper mechanism acting selectively on the jacks to effect suspension and restoration oi? the knitting operation oi the selected needles.

A knitting machine comprising a needle bed, needles longitudinally reciprocable therein, separate acks for said needles slidable with, and with respect to, their respective needles and provided with laterallyextended butts, means for projecting the needles, a retracting cam acting upon the jack butts for retracting the jacks and there through the needles, and means For simultaneously adjusting the needle bed and prcjccting means with respect to the retracting cam whereby the length of st Ich may he led, without varying the relatioii be tween the top of? the needle bed and the needles when in yarn receiving position.

23. A knitting machine comprising a needle bed, needles reciprocable therein, separate jacks for said needles longitudinally slidable with, and with respect to, their respective needles, and means to slide a series of said jacks longitudinally with respect to their needles thereby to render the said needles inoperative in the knitting operation.

24-. A knitting machine comprising a separate latch needle having relatively bodily movable hook and latch members, means for moving the needle to GfilGCt the knitting function, and means for throwing the needle out of action while retaining thereon a stitch ready for casting ofl over yarn next fed to the needle and for restoring the needle into action with the latch and hook members in. relation to receive the said next yarn l ed before the said retained stitch is cast ofl'.

A knitting machine con'iprising a separate latch needle having relatively bodily movable hook and latch. members, means for effecting a relative movement between the needle and the yarn tov perform the knitting function, and means for throwing the needle out of action while retaining thereon a stitch ready for casting oil over yarn next fed to the needle and for restoring the needle into action with the latch and hook members in relation to receive the said next yarn fed before the said retained stitch is cast off.

26. A knitting machine comprising separate latch needles having relatively bodily movable hook and latch members, each needle having a normal reciprocating stroke for the knitting operation, means for selectively discontinuing such normal stroke of certain of the needles to render said needles inactive for the knitting operation, while retaining thereon stitches ready for casting off over yarn next fed to the said needles and for effecting resumption oi: the said normal stroke of the said needles with the latch and hook members in relation to receive the said next yarn ied, before the said retained stitches are cast oil".

27. A knitting instrumentality comprising three co-ope atively associated, but physically independent, hook, latch, and 'j ack members, movement of the latch member being controlled by the hook member, and

movement of the hook member being controlled by the jack member, Without disturbing the yarn receiving relation of the latch and hook members.

28. In a knitting machine the combination. 01? a longitudinally reci t)rocable needle comprising a hook member and a! separate latch member, slidably h'ioi'inted on the hook member, and operated thereby, and means associated with the hook member for elifecting times its inaction and for re storing it into action.

A knittii'ig instrumentality comprising a hook member, a latch member, and a jack member, each relatively and bodily movable with respect to the other, the jack member being operative on oneof said first two members to move it with respect to the other. i

30. A. knitting instrumentality comprising a hook member, a latch member, anda member, each relatively and bodily slidable longitudinally with respect to the other, the jack member being operative on one of said first two members to move it with respect to the other.

31. A knitting instrumentality comprising a longitudinally reciprocable needle having a hook member and a separate latch member mounted :t'or sliding movement relatively to the hook member and also movable under the influence of the hook member, means associated with the hook member and having a plurality of adjustable positions such that, when in one of these positions, in action of the hook member results, the said means being actuatable to effect action of the hook member during the knitting operation, and means for effecting a combined movement of the said means associated with. the hook member and the hook member.

32. A knitting machine comprising aneedle bed provided with a series of grooves, a re ciprocable needle in each of the grooves comprising a hook and a latch member, the said hook member being positionable in its groove for action and inaction during knitting, the latch member having a bodily sliding movement relatively to the hook member, and means in the groove and movable with respect to the needle for changing the relation between the hook and latch members. I

A knitting machine comprising needle bed provided with a series of grooves, a reciprocable needle in each of the grooves comprising a hook member and a latch meni her, the said hook member being positionable in its groove for action and inaction durilig knitting, the latch member having a bodily sliding movement relatively to the hook member, co-active means carried by the hook and latch members for ei'l'ecting movement of the latch member from the hook member, and means movable with respect to the needle and associated with and operating on the hook member in its groove for efiecting' movement thereof and therethrough movei'nent of the latch member.

341.. knitting machine comprising a three element knitting il'istrumentality, the said. elements being physically separate and ineluding a hook member, positionable for action. and inaction during knitting, latch member relatively slidal'ile with respect to the hook member for a multiphase movement in respect thereto, and a jack member associated With the hook member for rendering the hook member inactive without projecting it abnormally,- the said ack member being movable in one direction independently of the hook member.

35. A knitting machine comprising a separate' latch needle having relatively bodily movable hook and latch members, means for moving one of said members and therethrough the other member to effect the .knitting function, and means for throwing the needle out of action while retaining thereon a stitch ready for casting off over yarn next fed to the needle and for restoring the needle into action with the latch and hook members in relation to receive the said next yarn fed before the said retained stitch is cast off.

36. A knitting machine comprising a separate latch needle having relatively bodily movable hook and latch members, means for moving the needle to effect the knitting function, and means for throwing the needle out of action. while retaining the hook member within. the limits of its normal movement and retaining a stitch ready for casting off over yarn next fed to the needle and for restoring the needle into action with the latch and hook members in relation to receive the said next yarn fed before the said retained stitch is cast off.

87. A knitting machine comprising a separate latch needle having relatively bodily movable hook and latch members, means for moving the needle to effect the knitting function, and means for throwing the needle out of action while retaining the latch member within the limits of its normal movement and retaining a stitch ready for casting off over yarn next fed to the needle and for restoring the needle into action with the latch and hook members in relation to receive the said next yarn fed before the said retained stitch is cast off.

38. A knitting machine comprising a separate latch needle having relatively bodily movable hook and latch members, means for moving the needle to effect the knitting function, and means for throwing the needle out of action by suspending the normal. movement of the hook member while in substantial yarn receiving position with a stitch thereon ready for casting off over yarn next fed to the needle and for restoring the needle into action by resuming the normal movement of the hook member with the latch and hook members in relation to receive the said next yarn fed before the said retained stitch is cast oil.

39. A knitting machine comprising a separate latch needle having relatively bodily movable hook and latch members, means for moving the needle to effect the knitting function, and means for throwing the needle out of action while retaining the hook member substantially at or rearward of the forward limit of its normal projection and retaining a stitch ready for casting off over yarn next fed to the needle and for restoring the needle into action with the latch and hook members in relation to re ceive the said next yarn fed before the said retained stitch is cast ofl.

QOQA knitting machine comprising a separate latch needle having relatively bodily movable hook and latch members, means for moving the needle to effect the knitting function, and means for throwing the needle out of action by suspending the normal movement of the hook member with a stitch thereon. ready for casting off over yarn next fed to the needle and for restoring the needle into action. by resuming the normal. movement of the hook member with the latch and hook members in rela tion to receive the said next yarn fed be fore the said retained stitch is cast off.

4151. A knitting machine comprising a separate latch needle having relatively bodily movable hook and latch members, means for moving the needle to effect the knitting function, and means for throwing the needle out of action while retaining the hook member within the limits of its normal movement and retaining on the needle a stitch ready for casting ofl? over yarn next fed to the needle and for restoring the needle into action with the latch and hook members in relation to receive the said next yarn fed before the said retained stitch is cast off.

42. A knitting machine comprising a separate latch needle having relatively bodily movable hook and latch members, means for moving the needle to effect the knitting function, and means for throwing the needle out of action while retaining the hook member substantially at or rearward of the forward limit of its normal projection and retaining a stitch on the needle ready for casting off over yarn next fed to the needle and for restoring the needle into action. with the latch and hook members in relation to receive the said next yarn fed before the said retained stitch is cast off.

4-3. A knitting machine comprising a. separate latch needle having relatively bodily movable hook and latch members, means for moving the needle to effect the knitting function and means for throwing the needle out of action while retaining a stitch ready for casting off over yarn next fed to the needle and for restoring the needle into action with the latch and hook members in relation to receive the said next yarn fed before the said retained stitch is cast ofl.

44. A knitting machine comprising a separate latch needle having relatively bodily movable hook and latch members, means for moving one of said members and therethrough the other member to effect the knitting function, and means for throwing the needle out of action while retaining a stitch ready for casting off over yarn next fed to the needle and for restoring the needle into action with the latch and hook memhers in relation to receive the said next yarn fed before the said retained stitch is cast off.

45. A knitting machine comprising a separate latch needle having relatively bodily movable hook and latch members, means for moving the needle to elfect the knitting function, and means for throwing the needle out oi and restoring it into action With the said members maintained in yarnreceiving relation and with a stitch retained ready for casting off over yarn next fed to the 10 needle whereby a continuous plain Web Will be knit by the needle When restored into action.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

PATRICK P. LA MONTAGNE. 

